Page 139 of Where Darkness Falls

“Any time now, High General,” Virgil shouts.

We’re feet away, and then I yell, “Now!”

I jerk Danté’s reins hard as we feign to the left. Maeva’s body slides off the saddle in the sharp turn. I quickly reach for her before she can fully dismount. She flails and curses at me for such a foolish feat. However, I can’t hide my satisfaction when I hear the shouts from the bludgeoned Minotaurs. Their horrified wails fill the sky as their lives fade.

“Brilliant, mate,” Riordan hollers.

I want to rejoice with him. However, the relief is short-lived as the Minotaurs that weren’t skewered pursue us. Dante’s shadowy mane flickers, as the chase takes a toll on him. The other horses are in the same shape. They can’t continue on like this, or we risk the horses flickering out completely.

This leaves only one option…

We’re going to have to wield both our swords and abilities to even have a fighting chance.

“Ready your weapons and abilities, mates. We’re going to have to fight our way out of this one,” I yell.

“Bloody Celestae,” Laisren growls, his voice morphing into the sound of the beast.

Thick shadows swirl around Virgil as Riordan whistles for his Nattravnen—sightless raven-like birds with holes in their wings that bring death to anyone touched by them.

Maeva’s jaw slackens as she ogles the odd birds. “What in all of Celestae are those?” Maeva asks.

Riordan chuckles, watching his creatures in wonder. “Nattravnen, Mae-Mae,” he replies.

“Keep them far away from us,” I command. “We can’t risk one of them touching us.”

“I scare you ONE TIME—” Riordan begins.

“Now’s not the time,” Virgil interrupts.

I drop my head close to Maeva’s ear. “Whatever you do, don’t summon your starlight,” I whisper. “Promise me.”

“You know I can’t promise that,” she replies.

I sigh, knowing that this stubborn woman will do as she bloody well pleases, but I just hope she listens to me.

Reaching for Scrisis, I dismount Danté.

Maeva also attempts to dismount, but I stop her before she succeeds. “This is suicide,” Maeva says. “Let me help you.”

I secure her place on the saddle once more. “No,” I say with finality. “If something happens to us, find a way to run. Danté will carry you until he vanishes.”

She reaches for my hand, squeezing it once. “Then don’t let them take you,” she pleads. “Make them suffer for what they’ve done to those people.”

I gently squeeze her hand as I release it. “I will, Rosey,” I say.

Then, I stand with my brothers, awaiting the approach of the remnants of the Minotaur clan. Their axes held fast in their hands, roaring into the sky as they draw near.

“Laisy, if you’re going to shift,” Riordan interjects, “now would be a good time.”

My second commander chews on the side of his check, rocking from side to side before meeting my gaze. “Is the demon needed?” Laisren asks, pained.

I nod once in confirmation.

The beast is only called forth in bleak times, and right now, we’re desperate.

Laisren sighs, focusing on the clan before us. Immediately, his feet morph into enormous paws, as claws rip through the soles of his steel boots. The clothes covering his body rip in two as he doubles in size. Fur covers him completely and two large canines bulge from his upper jaw. His hands transform as jagged claws protrude, at the same time that six horns emerge from the crown of his head. His liquid eyes gleam brighter as he releases a toe-curling roar at the approaching company.

The clan stops just a few yards away.